PLAYER RATINGS | France 3-0 Azerbaijan: Kylian Mbappé scores, assists, and sustains injury in World Cup qualifier | OneFootball

FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Matchday 3, 10/10/25

Kylian Mbappé scored and assisted as France close in on qualification for next summer’s FIFA World Cup with a comfortable win against Azerbaijan (3-0).

The Match

The first half was entirely uneventful until the final moments. Mbappé came close to opening the scoring in the opening moments but blasted over first time. Malo Gusto then blasted straight at the Azerbaijan shot-stopper, and that is as close as France got until first-half injury time.

Didier Deschamps’ side played the ball harmlessly in front of the Azerbaijan defence for much of the first half as his side failed to break through a stubborn block. However, Mbappé, who is closing in on Olivier Giroud’s record, broke the deadlock, evidencing the only piece of real technical quality in the first half, earning half a yard and slotting into the far corner.

Deschamps called for France to play quicker in the second half, and they did. Hugo Ekitiké, having set up the opener, struck the post with an effort from a tight angle, and Mbappé arguably should have done better when in a three-versus-two situation, opting to goal for goal himself and landing a deflected effort onto the roof of the Azerbaijan net.

But Les Bleus did net a second, and it came courtesy of Adrien Rabiot. The former Parisien was booed at the start of the match, but he was applauded as he headed home Mbappé’s cross in the second half.

However, having set up one goal and scored the other, Mbappé was forced off with injury late on, replaced by Florian Thauvin, making his first France appearance in six years. And he marked it in style. His first touch was to play the ball out to Théo Hernandez, the second was to control the latter’s cross, and the third was to rifle home an acrobatic effort.

France deservedly registered their third victory of their World Cup qualifying campaign, and if results elsewhere go in their favour early next week, they could book their place in the competition; an apparent ankle injury for Mbappé is the only negative for Les Bleus.

France player ratings

Mike Maignan – 5

Théo Hernandez – 6

Dayot Upacemacno – 5

William Saliba – 5

Malo Gusto -5

Kingsley Coman – 5

Adrien Rabiot – 6

Khéphren Thuram – 6

Michael Olise – 5

Kylian Mbappé – 7

Clearly now in search of Giroud’s record (57 goals), Mbappé’s decisions weren’t always the right ones, but he brought an incision that was sorely lacking. With a goal and an assist, he was the man who ensured that Les Bleus overcame a difficult Azerbaijan side.

Hugo Ekitiké – 6

Quiet for large periods of the first half, the Liverpool forward struggled to get involved but was nonetheless a focal point. He also managed an assist, even if almost all credit must go to Mbappé for the run and the finish. France needed someone to accelerate the play in the second half, and he did that, nearly netting his first goal for Les Bleus.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle